Welcome xsquid99,
When you get to Patong, you will see that everything will be pretty the same as last time you went, albeit a few new bars and buildings etc, but most of the main places will be in the same spot, and you will quite quickly become familiar with the place again. As for the state of the beach/patong, the pics are looking really good, you could actually say the beach looks somewhat cleaner than before
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I's sure you and your friends will have a great time.... after al it is LOS isn't it, kinda hard not too!!!
